The Abstract: September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Whether you’re local or global, student or alumni, the Abstract’s weekly news digest will help you stay in the loop with our amazing Gillings School community.

Ha receives the AUPHA Corris Boyd Scholarship 

Emily Ha

Emily Ha, first-year Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) student recently received the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Corris Boyd Scholarship, continuing the long history of Gillings students receiving the award. 

The Corris Boyd Scholarship is awarded for a two-year period. The HCA Corris Boyd Scholars Program was established in 2006 in honor of Mr. Corris Boyd, a senior healthcare executive with HealthTrust Purchasing Group and HCA.  Boyd dedicated himself to diversity and excellence in leadership – especially among people of color.  In his honor, the program annually provides scholarships to deserving minority students.   

“I am deeply grateful and humbled to be chosen as the recipient of the prestigious Corris Boyd Scholarship, and I feel incredibly blessed to have the support of AUPHA and HCA in my journey toward becoming a healthcare leader. In light of this incredible honor, I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to my parents for nurturing me into the woman I am today, my mentors for shaping me as a leader, my friends for their unwavering support, and to God for instilling courage in every step of my journey,” says Ha. 

Buru recognized by de Beaumont Foundation as leader in public health

Dr. Karla Buru

Karla Buru, DrPH, a 2022 Gillings alumna, has been recognized as one of the 40 Under 40 in Public Health in recognition of her work at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The de Beaumont Foundation announced its 2023 honorees on Sept. 7 after reviewing nominations from hundreds of leaders in public health. The new class was selected by a distinguished panel of public health professionals for their leadership and contributions to their community’s health.

“The professionals chosen for the 40 Under 40 in Public Health Class of 2023 demonstrate the determination, commitment, innovation, and resilience of the public health field,” said Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation. “Their work is strengthening communities and improving lives, and I look forward to following their careers and learning from them.”

For more information about the 40 Under 40 in Public Health, including a full list of honorees, visit www.debeaumont.org/40Under40.

Rhodes wins WILMA Women to Watch Award for public sector impact

Fawn Rhodes (from WILMA Magazine)

Congratulations to Fawn Rhodes, a student in the MPH@UNC Leadership in Practice program, who was honored with a WILMA Women to Watch Award in the public sector category for her work as the health and human services equity coordinator for New Hanover County’s Health and Human Services department.

In her role, Rhodes advocates, coordinates and implements health equity programs and collaborates with community partners to develop and promote projects that increase access to health and human services.

The annual Women to Watch Awards, presented by WILMA Magazine, spotlight “regional women who are the movers-and-shakers, the disruptors, the inspirations for successes to come.” The awards spotlight finalists and winners in seven categories: Arts, Education, Health Care, Business, Public Service, Nonprofit/Volunteer and Rising Star. WILMA magazine has also launched a Women to Watch Leadership Initiative with the mission to help develop more women leaders in Wilmington-area businesses, nonprofits, government bodies and boards of directors.

In August, Rhodes was featured as an award finalist by WILMA Magazine, where she spoke about her role and its impact on the local community and in her profession. She has also been honored for her work in health equity in 2022 when New Hanover County’s Office of Diversity and Equity hosted its second annual Equity Awards Gala.